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Tax Conference: Sanwo-Olu, Zulum, Amosun, Other Experts Seek Transparent Tax System to Boost Internally Generated Revenues
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his counterparts from Sokoto and Borno States have emphasised the need to make the country’s tax system more transparent and accountable to Nigerians to boost confidence and voluntary compliance.
The governors made the call at the ongoing 26th Annual Tax Conference organized by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) in Abuja, with the theme, “Sustainable Tax Culture and Economic Roadmap for Nation Building”.
Speaking at the conference, Governor Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Abdul-Kabir Opeyemi Ogungbo, said the theme of the Conference was apt and timely given that Nigeria, like many other nations, is currently facing significant economic challenges.
While underscoring the crucial role of a transparent and efficient tax administration in fostering confidence and voluntary compliance among taxpayers, he emphasized the necessity for citizens to witness tangible outcomes from their tax contributions, highlighting the pivotal role taxes play in fueling public services and infrastructural development.
Sanwo-Olu stressed the shift in mindset needed, urging taxpayers to view tax payments not as a burden but as an investment in a better future for Nigeria.
He said building a strong and sustainable future through a robust tax system that fosters economic growth and development had become inevitable.
Sanwo-Olu said, “We must all understand the crucial role taxes play in building a better Nigeria for ourselves and for generations to come.
“The theme also highlights the need for a clear economic roadmap which should take note of the architecture of our developmental ideologies as they are designed to provide the government with the necessary resources to cater for the social needs of its citizens, therefore we need a tax system that incentivizes investment, job creation, and economic diversification.
“We need to explore innovative ways to expand the tax base while fostering a business environment that allows our economy to thrive. The good news is that Nigeria is already taking positive steps in these directions. The recent efforts to streamline state-level taxes and the focus on integrating the growing remote workforce into the tax net are commendable initiatives.”
The governor said, “The CITN plays a vital role in fostering this vital shift. Your commitment to professional excellence and education is instrumental in ensuring a tax system that is fair, efficient, and promotes economic development.”
However, former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who declared the conference open, while stressing the need to prioritize growing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) over relying solely on borrowing to fund national and sub-national budgets, said borrowing to fund the budgets was not the way to go amid the current national economic challenge when “our nation and its constituent states and local governments are going through very difficult times and finding it hard to provide for its teeming populace, acceptable standards of living, employment with the growing population of youths, infrastructure and basic amenities that will make life more meaningful”.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State criticized inefficiencies and corruption in the current tax administration system.
Zulum, represented by the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Kadafur, highlighted the shortcomings of the current tax system, including tax evasion, avoidance, and lack of transparency.
He called for critical reforms to address these issues, including tackling corruption in both the oil sector and governance system. He criticized the political protection of tax evaders and emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in tax administration.
While calling for critical reforms, he lamented the manipulation and connivance of multinationals with tax administration to short-change the system, he added that this represented one of the hallmarks of corruption in both the oil and governance system.
In his remarks, the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, said the conference will greatly assist in exploring innovative ways of improving revenue generation in the country.
He said the economic and revenue challenges had made it difficult for governments at all levels to implement their people-oriented programmes, thus the need for the government to devise a means for more funds to provide the dividends of democracy to the people.
The governor said taxation remained a veritable source of resource mobilization for the government adding that his administration would work with CITN to boost IGR in the state.
The Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF), Mr. Shaakaa Chira, said the country’s tax system was plagued by instances of tax evasion especially by the upper class, multiple taxation and inability to properly account for taxes collected by administrators.
The Chairman of the conference planning committee, Dr. Adeyemi Sanni, noted that for Nigeria to achieve meaningful fiscal development over the long term, it is imperative to establish a tax culture that can withstand economic fluctuations and challenges.
President and Chairman of the CITN council, Mr. Samuel Agbeluyi, emphasized the importance of investing in technology and people at the subnational level to effectively track revenues in the digital space, including cryptocurrency. This, he believes, will help maximize government revenue flow.
Mr. Agbeluyi stressed the need to provide support to revenue authorities through financial and administrative autonomy, empowering them to effectively administer taxes as he noted it is clear that a strategic approach to revenue management is crucial for the overall financial health of the government.
The CITN boss stated further, “This is a thought-provoking topic that requires all of us to put on our thinking hats. As we deliberate, we must recognize that our nation faces significant challenges. Our current economic realities as a country are multifaceted, despite efforts to improve the narrative by the current government.
He said, “The 2024 budget of “Renewed Hope” as we know relies significantly on non-oil revenue, and this trend is expected to continue in the future. Therefore, building a sustainable tax culture capable of significantly improving our tax revenue performance for an effective. economic and capital formation becomes a top priority.”
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Digital Africa Global Consult, NDPC Partner on Ground-Breaking “Nigeria Data Challenge” Initiative
In a bold and forward-looking move to embed a culture of data privacy in Nigeria’s educational landscape, Digital Africa Global Consult (DAGC), a leading technology advancement firm, on Friday, entered into a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at launching the Nigeria Data Challenge, a pioneering, education-focused initiative designed to inculcate data protection awareness among secondary school students across the country.
The Nigeria Data Challenge is more than a knowledge dissemination campaign. It is a structured, competitive learning program that introduces students to the fundamentals of data protection and digital privacy.
By engaging learners through curriculum-based activities, practical challenges, and assessments, the program seeks to nurture a generation of data-responsible citizens well-prepared for the demands of Nigeria’s digital future.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, applauded Digital Africa Consult for initiating the challenge, which he described as timely and transformative.
He noted that the project complements the Commission’s existing Privacy Club Initiative in tertiary institutions and aligns with its broader mandate to cultivate a privacy-aware culture throughout Nigerian society.
“This partnership is a natural extension of our mission to build a data protection-conscious ecosystem in Nigeria. We are excited about the opportunity to reach young minds early, and this program promises to be a cornerstone in our awareness strategy,” Dr. Olatunji stated.
In his remarks, Dr. Evans Woherem, Chairman of Digital Africa Global Consult and a seasoned advocate of digital transformation in Africa, expressed appreciation to the NDPC for embracing the vision of early-stage data literacy.
He underscored the strategic importance of data as the “new oil” of the digital economy and emphasised the need to build data consciousness from a young age to prepare Nigeria for a competitive global digital environment.
“The future belongs to nations that understand and manage data responsibly. By starting from our secondary schools, we are planting the seeds of a resilient data economy,” Dr. Woherem said.
Adding further insight, Nneoma Ofodile, General Manager of Digital Africa Global Consult, highlighted the novelty and global relevance of the Nigeria Data Challenge.
“This is the first data-focused challenge of its kind anywhere in the world, making it not only a national milestone but also a global precedent. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 9, and 16, promoting quality education, industry innovation, and strong institutions,” she stated.
She also noted the urgency of addressing the indiscriminate ways data is shared and mishandled by young people, often without their full understanding of the consequences.
“This initiative comes at a time when even students are becoming both victims and agents of data breaches, consciously or unconsciously. Awareness is not optional; it is essential,” she added.
Nigeria, like many nations in Africa, is rapidly digitizing across public and private sectors. With this digital evolution comes the imperative to protect personal data and promote ethical digital practices.
The establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission in 2023 signalled a new era of regulatory oversight in line with global data protection trends, including the EU’s GDPR and similar frameworks adopted in countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Rwanda.
Yet, awareness of data rights and responsibilities remains low, particularly among the youth. Initiatives such as the Nigeria Data Challenge help bridge this critical knowledge gap by bringing data education into mainstream educational curricula.
The project is expected to scale through state-level rollouts and regional contests, eventually culminating in a national championship that will showcase top-performing schools and students.
This initiative arrives at a time when the digital economy is estimated to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP, and data-driven innovation, spanning fintech, e-commerce, health tech, and AI—continues to surge. However, this growth is threatened by weak data protection compliance and poor digital hygiene among users.
The NDPC and Digital Africa Global Consult are optimistic that this partnership will ignite similar collaborations and inspire a new frontier in civic education, one that recognises data as both a right and a responsibility.
As Nigeria positions itself to be a digital leader in Africa, the Nigeria Data Challenge may well become a benchmark model for other countries aiming to develop grassroots data governance awareness.
Tony Elumelu, chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Heirs Holdings, has called on Africa to avow itself in the fast-evolving global technology landscape, calling for deeper partnerships, infrastructure investments, and recognition of the continent’s digital potential.
Tony Elumelu, chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Heirs Holdings,
Elumelu, who made this statement in a series of posts on his verified X handle over the weekend, questioned the continent’s current role in global tech innovation and value creation, noting that while technology is transforming the world, Africa risks being sidelined without urgent strategic action.
“We know technology is transforming our world, and the pace of transformation is accelerating. Where is Africa? Are we in the conversation, or are we being left behind?” Elumelu asked.
Citing Africa’s youthful, entrepreneurial, and digitally native population, Elumelu stressed the need for stronger global partnerships that empower African startups and tech developers to not only serve local markets but compete globally.
“Young Africans are digitally native, entrepreneurial, and hungry to build. What we need are more opportunities for partnership, more belief in our potential, and platforms to amplify our voices.
“Africa has led in digital banking and payments. Our value chains are ripe for transformation. Yet we need more investment, more platforms, and more belief in our potential.
“We know that many of the minerals that are techs’ foundation are found in Africa. But is Africa getting the benefit? Africa needs to capture the moment – ensure we have digital sovereignty – that African priorities are understood and met”
The UBA Chairman revealed that he attended an exclusive dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and global technology executives at the Élysée Palace in Paris, where he sought to amplify Africa’s voice at the highest level of innovation discourse.
“I had enriching conversations with global tech CEOs, including the CEO of NVIDIA, Jensen Huang, on how innovation can and must solve humanity’s most urgent challenges—including those facing Africa,” he said.
Elumelu used the opportunity to advocate for the continent as the next frontier of global tech investment, calling attention to Africa’s unique demographics and the imperative for inclusive innovation.
Speaking further he said through his investment company, Heirs Holdings, remains committed to Africa’s digital transformation, actively backing tech ventures such as Heirs Technologies and Redtech Limited, which are building solutions tailored for the African market while competing on a global scale.
National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has called on African businesses to seize the opportunities emerging within the rapidly growing global space economy, which is projected to reach one trillion dollars annually by 2030.
The appeal was made by Dr Matthew Adepoju, director-general, NASRDA, during a press briefing at the weekend in advance of the second Africa Space Economy Conference and Exhibition (ASEC 2025), scheduled to take place in Abuja from 17 to 19 June.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), will focus on the theme “Space Economy and Emerging Markets in Africa”.
Dr Adepoju highlighted that the global space economy is on the verge of surpassing $500 billion per year, making it the fastest-growing economic sector worldwide.
He stressed that Africa must position itself at the forefront of innovation, science, and technology by investing in space-related ventures.
“This is the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Africa must not be left behind.
“It is time for us to take our rightful place at the forefront of global innovation, science and technology, with space technology being the pinnacle of human endeavour.
“The space economy is the fastest growing economic sector in the world and it is projected to hit one trillion dollars per annum. Currently it’s more than 500 billion dollars annually,” he said.
The conference aims to foster collaboration between industry leaders, academic institutions, and research organisations, all working to strengthen Nigeria’s space ecosystem.
Dr Adepoju praised President Bola Tinubu for his forward-thinking economic initiatives, noting the President’s directive to transform NASRDA into a revenue-generating body.
NASRDA, he said, is now committed to fully commercialising and industrialising space research. The upcoming conference is expected to attract international participants, with confirmed interest from countries such as China, the United States, and several European and African nations.
The agency is also preparing for the launch of four new satellites—three optical and one Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
These satellites are intended to support national security, environmental monitoring, and economic surveillance, particularly in sectors such as the blue economy and oil and gas.
Dr Adepoju encouraged private sector involvement in areas including satellite technology, data services, rocketry, and space-based applications.
He stressed that with Nigeria being Africa’s most populous country, there is already a significant market for space-related products and services, and now is the time for African businesses to build capacity, invest locally, and retain economic value.
Speaking on behalf of Chief Emeka Obegolu, ACCI President, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, chamber’s director-general, noted that Africa has yet to fully tap into the space economy’s potential.
He pointed out challenges such as limited public awareness, infrastructure gaps, and evolving policy environments, but said these issues also present opportunities for innovation and investment.
“It was with this foresight that ACCI, through our Policy Advocacy Centre, in a strategic partnership with NASRDA, conceptualised the ASEC,” he said.
Dr Haruna Mohammed, co-chairman of the Conference Organising Committee, reiterated that the event is aimed at the private sector and will showcase how space-based technologies can aid in economic diversification, enhance infrastructure, and promote sustainable development across the continent.
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